Delaware Code Title 7. Conservation § 4401. Purpose

It is the purpose of this chapter to:  promote the public health, safety and general welfare, and to:  protect human life, health and welfare;  encourage the utilization of appropriate construction practices in order to prevent or minimize flood damage in the future;  minimize flooding of water supply and sanitary sewage disposal systems;  maintain natural drainage;  reduce financial burdens imposed on the State, local community, its governmental units and its residents, by discouraging unwise design and construction of development in areas subject to flooding;  minimize the need for rescue and relief efforts associated with flooding and generally undertaken at the expense of the general public;  minimize prolonged business interruptions;  minimize damage to public facilities and other utilities such as water and gas mains, electric, telephone and sewer lines, streets and bridges;  reinforce that those who build in and occupy special flood hazard areas should assume responsibility for their actions;  minimize the impact of development on adjacent properties within and near flood prone areas;  provide that the flood storage and conveyance functions of the floodplain are maintained;  minimize the impact of development on the natural and beneficial functions of the floodplain;  prevent floodplain uses that are either hazardous or environmentally incompatible;  and improve drainage standards to reduce threats to community welfare.